Vending machine



Jan. 11, 1944. v o. GARNER 2,338,714

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I VENDING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1941 5 sheets-sheet 5 ,5 JIVVf/VTO [04' Q Ed /mat 'aazr I I Patented Jan. 11, 1944 VENDING MACHINE Lue O. Garner, Memphis, Tenn, assignor to Kennon Mott, Columbus, Ga.

Application May 17, 1941, Serial No. 393,866

'11 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for vending bottled goods in single items direct to the customer, and is particularly indicated for the dispensing as of bottled soft drinks which are chilled before delivery.

It will be understood, however, that it is similarly applicable to apparatus for dispensing numerous other types of bottled goods and to dispensing substantially any small articles of circular cross section.

The objects of the invention are:

To provide means for storing a considerable number of units for dispensing.

To provide means for housing a plurality of groups of units.

To provide means for delivering the units of each group individually one at a time.

To provide means for jointly cooling all of the stored units.

To provide coin controlled means each for respectively releasing units of a group, whereby the delivery may be controlled by the customer; and

Generally to improve the design and construction of such devices.

In accomplishing the objects of the invention I provide an insulated casing in which are housed a plurality, here indicated as four, of vertically disposed storage racks, each rack in the instant showing holding twenty-four bottles for dispensing. The casing preferably also houses suitable refrigerating apparatus and chilling coils for cooling the stored bottles. The bottles in each unit are released in succession by suitable releasing apparatus which permits the discharge by gravity of one bottle at each operation. The release is preferably initiated for each operation by the insertion of a suitable coin in payment for the bottle released, and is accomplished by solenoid action effected through the insertion of the coin.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the method of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the device cut away in part, as on the line I-I of Fig. 2, to show three of the bottle racks, the actuating mechanism therefor, and the refrigerating apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken as on the line II--]I of Fig. 1, with the refrigerating apparatus omitted.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation on an enlarged scale of the lower portion of one of the bottle raclrs empty.

Fig. 4 is a similarly enlarged detail of the bottle lowering cradle.

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of a dash-pot for retarding the descent of the bottle lowering cradle.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken as on the line VI-VI of Fig. 3, showing the lower end of one of the bottle racks and the trip mechanism related thereto with the trip in bottle supporting position.

Fig. 7 is a corresponding view showing positioning of the same parts during descent of the bottles.

Fig. 8 is ajsectional plan taken as on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuits used and the coin actuated switch.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals:

I l is an insulated casing which may have suitable framing l3, in which casing are housed a plurality of bottle racks, four of these, A, B, C, and D, being here indicated. Each rack includes upright frame members l5, l5, spaced apart slightly in excess of two diameters of the bottles 11 which are to be supported in such racks, the members being supported by the framing l3 and transverse members I9 carried thereby, and forming channelways for two rows of bottles.

Extending inward from the frame members It are shelves 2| which interrupt one of these channelways. The shelves are downwardly pitched at an angle which will insure discharge of bottles on such shelves and which terminate substantially at the vertical center line of the rack so that they discharge the bottles into the unobstructed channelway when occasion permits. Adjacent their lower ends the frame members I6 are bent toward the opposite frame member l5, substantially to the center line of the rack and are then extended downward parallel with the members IE to confine bottles below such point to a single row. 22 is a bottom, plate which may be individual for each rack, or. as shown in Fig. 8. may extend continuously beneath all.

23 are end guiding members for the bottles, these members extending from top to bottom of the two channelways of each rack, but terminating at least a full bottle diameter above the plate 22 to permit discharge of the bottles therebeneath. The racks are inclined forwardly from bottom to top so that the bottoms of the bottles inherently remain against the guide members of the rack and in'properly alined positions.

.Mounted at the lower part of the open chan- 35, to a depending post 31.

and rod 4| to the piston 42, of a dash-pot 43. l

The dashpot 43 is preferably enclosed (Fig. 5) in a casing 43-A which is supported as by a shelf 43-B, and held down thereon as by bolts 43--C. The dashpot 43 is of less heighth than the casing and on the upstroke of the piston air overflows into the casing. The piston 42 has openings 44 therethrough and a superposed valve plate 45, displaceable to permit quick downward movement, but seating on upward movement, to close the openings 44 in the piston, the speed of such upward movement being regulated by infiow through a needle valve 46, which controls fiow from the casing into the dashpot. The weight of the piston is preferably sufficient to raise the cradle after each bottle discharge. The cradle is provided at its outer end with a tilt member 41 which engages the plate 22 as the cradle descends and tips the cradle sufiiciently to discharge the bottles into a delivery chute 49 through which the bottles are delivered into position accessible to the customer. 5| is an opening in the front wall of the casing which is closed by hinged doors 53 which are pushed open by the bottle as it discharges.

Extending along the restricted lower portion of each rack, where the rack has been restricted to a single channelway and carried by the lower portion of the rack members I6, is a plate 55 on whch is mounted bottle supporting and trip mechanism. This mechanism includes flanges 51 extending rearwardly from the plate, between which flanges a dog carrier 59 is disposed. This carrier has ears GI which are pivotally mounted, as on pins 63 carried by the flanges 51. Side portions 65 of the carrier 59 are inwardly extended through suitable openings in the plate 55 to form dogs which project into the path of the bottles II and are held in such projecting position by a latch 61 engaging the upper edge of the member 59, such holding and projection being shown in Fig. 6, in which view the bottle l'I-A and the superposed bottles are supported by the dogs 65.

The latch 61 is connected through suitable linkage 69 with the plunger or core II of a solenoid I3. I5 is a stop limiting downward movement of the solenoid cor e. The solenoid I3, when energized, as later described, raises the core and latch 61, releasing the member 59 and permitting the weight of the bottles to displace the dogs 65 so that the bottle II-A may descend,as shown in Fig. 7, toward discharge point, the speed of this descent being regulated by the cradle 23 and controlling dashpot 43. Disposed below the dogs 65 is a dog control 11 which is pivotally connected as by a pin I'I-A to the back of the plate 55. This control extends also into the path of the descending bottles and as the bottle I'I-A, in Fig. '7, descends after release by displacement of the dogs 65, is forced out into engagement with the tail 59-A of the dog carrier 59, definitely moving the carrierinto position for engagement by the latch 51, and the dogs 65 into holding position in the path of the next superposed bottle. The control I! may directly engage the tail 59-A of the carrier 59, but engagement preferably is made first through a spring I9 and subsequently by solid engagement.

In Fig. 9 the solenoids 'I3A, I3-B, I3--C and I3--D, controlling the four racks A, B, C, and D, are shown together with the wiring diagram therefor. Y

8| is a coin slot in the front of the casing II. 83 indicates diagrammatically a channelway from this coin slot through a coin selector 85 which may be of any of numerous types now purchasable in the open market and which in its detail forms no part of the present invention.

87 is a coin which has been inserted in the slot 8| and has passed through the passageway 83 onto a depressible switch member 89, here shown depressed by the weight of the coin into bridging engagement with contacts 9|, 93.

and 91 are leads from a source of electric current, the lead 95 extending to the contact 93 and the lead 9'! through the branches 9I-D, 9'I--C, 9'IB, and 9'I-A to the solenoids 'I3D, I3--C, 13-3, and 'I3--.A, respectively, and

thence through continued leads 98--D, 98-C,

98B, and 98-A, to contacts 99--D, 99-0, 99--B, and 9--A.

IBI is an arcuately curved bus bar which is connected through a lead I93 to the contact 9I. I05 is an indicator exterior to the casing II, which may be set on any one of four indicia points numbered I, 2, 3 and 4 corresponding to the four racks A, B, C, and D. This indicator is connected through a post III! with an arm I99 to accomplish movement of the arm in conformity with movement of the indicator. The arm I09 is in bridging contact with the bus bar IOI, and such one of the contacts 99-A, 99-3, 99-C, or 99-D as may have been selected by positioning of the exterior of the casing.

In Fig. 9 the indicator is shown set on the number 3, and the arm I09 as bridging between the bus bar IOI and the contact 99C with the solenoid 'I3--C energized.

Preferably contiguous to each indicia point is a card holder, as the holder H0, in which a card may be placed to indicate the kind of drink dispensed, or other suitable legend may be used to accomplish such designation.

In Fig. 1, I I I is a suitably hinged door permitting access to the back of the casing for filling the racks. II3 diagrammatically illustrates refrigerating apparatus, and H5, in Fig. 2, cooling coils.

In using the device the door I II is opened and the bottles I! placed in the rack, the lower bottle in each case being placed in the cradle 25 and being supported by the dogs 65, and thereafter additional bottles being placed in the single row portion of the rack until the double row portion is reached, after which filling of both portions proceeds concurrently, the racks each preferably being made to hold a full case of two dozen bottles.

All of the racks may be filled with one type of drink, or each may be filled with a difi'erent type. In such latter event cards are placed in the card holders IIII corresponding to the four indicia points I, 2, 3 and 4 on the front of the casing, or otherwise proper indication is made of the kind of drink which will be dispensed. After filling the refrigerating ap aratus is turned on and the bottles thoroughly chilled, placing the device ready for customer service.

The customer moves the pointer I05 to the indicia points I, 2, 3, or 4 indicating the drink which he desires, in the instant case the selection being shown as of type 3. The customer then inserts his coin in the slot 8! and if the coin be not rejected by the coin selectorit passes through the passageway 83 therein and drops on the switch 89, depressing this switch to bridge the contacts 9|, 93 momentarily and almost immediately drops from the switch into such receptacle as may be provided therefor, permitting the switch to reopen.

Bridging of the contacts 9|, 93 establishes. circuit from the current source through lead 95, lead 103, bus bar I bridging arm I09, contact 99-0, lead 98C, solenoid l3C, and leads ill-C and 91 back to the source. Actuation of the solenoid 73-C, as shown in Fig. '7, raises the latch 61 and releases the dog carrier 59, permitting the weight of the bottles to displace the dogs 65 and the bottles to descend, the speed of this descent being governed by the dashpot 43. In this descent the lower bottle engages the dog control 11 forcing the dogs 65 into supporting position beneath the next superposed bottle, and the dogcarrier into position for engagement by the latch 61, the. dogs supporting the superposed bottle row. As the lower bottle approaches discharge position the cradle tilt member 41 strikes the plate 22 and the cradle 25 is tilted to discharging angle, the bottle sliding off the cradle into and outward through the delivery chute 49, and through the doors 53 into accessible position for the customer.

The load released cradle 25 moves upward into engagement with the dog supported bottle and the device is ready for the next customer.

It will be understood that numerous changes especially in construction detail may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will be particularly noted that the bottle racks disclosed are shown as distinct units, but it will readily be seen that the sides or member 15 of one rack may form the shelf carrying side or member 16 of a second rack or vice versa, or even that the member of one rack may carry oppositely projecting shelves for an adjacent rack.

I claim:

1. In a gravity feed bottle vending machine which includes means for releasing said bottles successively; bottle discharging means includ-- ing a bottle receiving cradle, a post supporting said cradle, said cradle and post being depressible under bottle load, a lever, means pivotally mounting said lever intermediate its ends in said machine, means supportably connecting the lower end of said post to one end of said lever, means biasing said lever to raise said post and cradle into bottle engaging position, including dashpot means carried by said machine. and means connecting said dashpot means to the opposite end of said lever, said dashpot means being adapted to effect retarding upward movement of the lever end connected thereto.

2. In a gravity feed bottle vending machine. which includes means for releasing said bottles successively; bottle discharging means including a bottle receiving cradle, a post tiltably supporting said cradle, said cradle and post being depressible under bottle load, a lever, means pivotally mounting said lever intermediate its ends in said machine, means supportably connecting the lower end of said post to one end of said lever.

means biasing said lever to raisev said post and cradle into bottle engaging position, includin dashpot means carried by said machine connected to the opposite end of said lever, and adapted to effect delayed upward movement of said end, and means cooperating with one end of said cradle to tilt same to discharging position as said cradle approaches completion of downward movement.

3. In a gravity feed bottle vending machine which includes means for releasing said bottles successively; bottle discharging means including a bottle receiving cradle, means tiltably supporting said cradle, said cradle and supporting means being depressible under bottle load, means engaging and tilting said cradle to discharge position on depression thereof, and means biased to raise said supporting means and cradle, subsequent to bottle discharge, to bottle engaging position.

4. In a bottle vending machine, a bottle rack adapted to laterally confine a column of superposed horizontally disposed bottles, dog means adjacent the bottom of said rack and carried thereby, adapted to support said column of bottles, means for latching said dog means in supporting position, a dog control carried by said rack extending into the path of a bottle released by said dog and displaceable by descent of said bottle, said control'on displacement operably engaging said dog means, to efiect forcing said dog into bottle supporting position and latch engagement, a cradle, depressible under bottle weight, means supporting said cradle in engagement with said supported bottle, means regulating downward movement of said cradle under load of a released said bottle, and means for disengaging said tching means to effect bottle release.

5. In a bottle vending machine, a bottle rack adapted to laterally confine a column of superposed horizontally disposed bottles, a dog carrier oscillatably mounted on said rack adjacent the bottom thereof and a dog carried thereby, said dog being movable with said carrier into position to support said column of bottles, means for latching said carrier to hold said dog in supporting position, a dog control below said dog, carried by said rack and engaging said carrier, and moved by said carrier into the path of the bottle released by said dog and displaceable by descent of said bottle, said control on displacement restoring said dog and carrier into bottle supporting and latch engaging position, a cradle, depressible under bottle weight, means supporting said cradle in engagement with said supported bottle, means regulating downward movement of said cradle under load of a released said bottle, and means for disengaging said latching means to effect bottle release.

6. In a gravity feed bottle vending machine which includes means for releasing said bottles successively; bottle discharging means including a bottle receiving cradle, a post supporting said, cradle. said cradle and post being depressible under bottle load, a lever, means pivotally mounting said lever intermediate its ends in said machine, means supportably connecting the lower end of said post to one end of said lever, and means biasing said lever to raise said post and cradle into bottle engaging position.

7. In a gravity feed bottle vending machine, which includes means for releasing said bottles successively; bottle discharging means including a bottle receiving cradle, a post tiltably sup porting said cradle, said cradle and post being depressible under bottle load, a lever, means pivotally mounting said lever intermediate its ends in said machine, means supportably conmeeting the lower end of said post to one end of said lever, means biasing said lever to raise said post and cradle into bottle engaging position, and means cooperating with one end of said cradle to tilt same to discharging position as said cradle approaches completion of downward movement. 7

8. In a bottle vending machine, a bottle rack adapted to laterally confine a column of superposed horizontally disposed bottles, dog means adjacent the bottom of said rack and carried thereby, adapted to support said column of bottles, means for latching said dog means in supporting position, a dog control carried by said rack, extending into the path of a bottle released by said dog and displaceable by descent of said bottle, said control on displacement operably engaging said dog means to efiect forcing said dog into bottle supporting position and latch engagement, a cradle, depressible under bottle weight, means biasing said cradle into engagement with said supported bottle, and means for disengaging said latching means to effect bottle release.

9. In a bottle vending machine, a bottle rack adapted to laterally confine a column of superposed horizontally disposed bottles, dog means adjacent the bottom of said rack and carried thereby, adapted to support said column of bottles, means for latching said dog means in supporting position, a dog control carried by said rack, extending into the path of a bottle released by said dog and displaceable by descent of said bottle, said control on displacement oper ably engaging said dog means to effect forcing said dog into bottle supporting position and latch engagement, means depressible under bottle weight for lowering and discharging released bottles and means for disengaging said latching means to efifeot bottle release.

10. In a bottle vending machine, a bottle rack adapted. to laterally confine a column of superposed horizontally disposed bottles, a dog carrier oscillatably mounted on said rack adjacent the 5 bottom thereof and a dog carried thereby, said dog being movable with said carrier into position to support said column of bottles, means for latching said carrier to hold said dog in supporting position, a dog control below said dog, carried by said rack and engaging said carrier, and moved by said carrier into the path of the bottle released by said dog and displaceable by descent of said bottle, said control on displacement restoring said dog and carrier into bottle supporting and latch engaging position, a cradle, depressible under bottle weight, means supporting said cradle in engagement with said supported bottle, and means for disengaging said latching means to efiect bottle release.

11. In a bottle vending machine, a bottle rack adapted to laterally confine a column of superposed horizontally disposed bottles, a dog carrier oscillatably mounted on said rack adjacent the bottom thereof and a dog carried thereby, said 5 dog being movable with said carrier into position to support said column of bottles, means for latching said carrier to hold said dog in supporting position, a dog control below said dog, carried by said rack and engaging said carrier, so moved by said carrier into the path of the bottle released by said dog and displaceable by descent of said bottle, said control on displacement restoring said dog and carrier into bottle supporting and latch engaging position, means 3-5 biased into bottle engagement, and depressible under bottle weight for lowering and discharging each said bottle successively, and means for disengaging said latching means to effect bottle release.

LUE O. GARNER. 

